Although God of War: Sons of Sparta follows a structure that feels inspired by metroidvania design, the game generally avoids confusing progression routes. Objectives are usually clear, areas unlock naturally, and players are rarely left wondering what to do next. However, one specific moment during the Ponea boss encounter has caused widespread confusion.
A few hours into the campaign, players face Ponea, the second Stymphalian boss. The battle itself is straightforward once you learn the attack patterns, but the real issue appears after Ponea’s health bar is completely depleted. Instead of triggering a clear cutscene or exit prompt, the boss floats off-screen while the arena remains locked, giving the impression that something has broken.
Is the Ponea Fight Actually Bugged?
Despite how it may look, this is not a technical glitch. The game is functioning as intended. The confusion stems from poor visual guidance rather than a broken event trigger. Many players assume the encounter has bugged out because there is no obvious instruction on how to proceed.
How to Continue the Story
To move forward, players must collect an item called the Frozen Plume inside the arena. The object appears on the ground after the fight concludes.
- Search the arena floor carefully.
- Stand near the Frozen Plume.
- Press the Triangle button to pick it up.
The key problem is that the Frozen Plume does not display the usual interaction prompt. Unlike other collectible items in Sons of Sparta, there is no visible button indicator, which leads many players to miss it entirely.
What the Frozen Plume Unlocks
Once collected, progression resumes normally. Kratos and Deimos receive their next objective, and the path forward opens. However, the Frozen Plume also has optional value.
Returning to the Sanctuary allows players to use the Frozen Plume to unlock three additional Muse Trials. Completing all nine Muse Trials in the game opens a brand-new area and rewards the Amuse Trophy. Because of this, picking up the item is essential not only for story progression but also for completionists.
If you thought your game was glitched, rest assured: simply grab the Frozen Plume and continue your journey.
